“Anala, do you sense that?”
My stride slows as my wandering thoughts vanish, and I let the devilish part of me thrive. He’s right. Something is out there. I haven’t sensed anything like it before. It is powerful, but not near what I experienced when I was, shall we call it graced, with my father’s presence in the pit.
“It could be a Prince. I’ve never felt something so dark. It isn’t an ordinary demon.”
On that, he’s right. No ordinary demon emanates this type of power. Whatever it is, it’s not making its presence known. It’s hiding. It’s watching us.
“Perhaps you should go back to the house,” I tell the angel. I’ve taken to liking him quite a bit and don’t want to see a Prince put an end to him. It has been said only the archangels stand a chance against a Prince. I have no idea if it’s true, but sacrificing Sebastian to find out isn’t an option.
“I can’t leave you,” he answers nonchalantly. “Besides, what type of warrior would I be if I ran from a fight?”
“There will be no fight today, angel.”
The voice is low, to the point, and enough to make every sense within my form come alive. I can’t explain how, but every fiber of my being knows exactly who is lingering in the shadows. “Belial,” I whisper as I turn in the direction of the whispered announcement. “Show yourself. What’s the point in hiding?”
“Ah, bravado. I love it.” His words are louder this time, as he slowly steps from the depths of darkness to reveal his human form. He’s taken on a vessel that could easily be considered a handsome, young man. He’s possibly my age, no wrinkles, no signs of aging. This human, whose soul is now in the pit being fondled by the savages there, will never grow old. He gave himself over to darkness, which made him easy for possession by the monster before me.
I try to ignore the true visage of Belial. During the eons he has spent in the pit, his once human skin has turned an ashen gray. His face is hardened, almost like the gargoyles seen in old movies. The hardness is like armor to protect him from whatever Hell, Earth, or the heavens toss his way. The blade, forged in the lake of fire itself, can easily be seen attached to his back. He doesn’t care to hide it. Black pits replace his eyes, showing the depths in which, his depravity runs. There is nothing left of what he was before meeting my father. He is now nothing more than one of the darkest creatures to emerge from the lakes of Hellfire.
“Why are you here?” I question as I move slightly closer. I want him to know I have no fear. By the look on both his faces, he absolutely loves the idea of me being brave enough to approach him.
“You should bow to your superiors, little one. I’ve heard tales of your power, but they are of no comparison to my own.”
I feel the cocky, half-assed grin settle on my face. I can’t control it. It’s as natural as breathing has become. “I bow to no one demon.”
“Demon? Hilarious. You are one rebellious little bitch,” he laughs as he closes the gap between us. “I am no demon. I am a Prince, and I demand respect. BOW!”
His final word is practically screamed in my face. I’ve always found it funny how some people, or Hell spawns, demand respect while hiding who they truly are while walking the Earth. I hide my true self, but I don’t require people to bow to me when we meet. Perhaps he thinks since I know him, things are different. They aren’t. I could care less about his reputation as a Prince of Hell or the scores of deaths on his list of accomplishments.
“Step back.” My tone is low, deadly, emitting from me more as a growl than a demand. “You may be respected by those low-level Hell crawlers you make cower in fear, but to me, you are nothing.”
“Belial, she won’t bow. Willingly, that is. She never has.”
I know her voice without needing to look in her direction. It doesn’t matter what vessel she’s chosen to appear in. My mother, Lilith, the Queen of Demons, is not very hard to pinpoint when she decides to walk the earth. During my time here, she’s only done it once. We didn’t cross paths, but both of us knew of the other’s location.
“You should have taught her proper etiquette, Lilith. Had you started from the moment this wench was born, she wouldn’t be the issue she is now.”
I turn my head slowly, taking her in as she strolls down the cobblestone with a grace not normally associated with a beast like her. Her human form is young, beautiful, and obviously hand-chosen for all those reasons. The long, black hair, the smooth, porcelain skin, the breasts that are barely covered by the purple, leather corset she’s wearing are all part of the façade. She is here to lure humans to the darkness, then feast on their souls for an eternity of torture. I hate her with every fiber of my being.
“I should’ve known you would be making an appearance, Mother.”
“But of course,” she smirks. “I wouldn’t trust anyone else when it comes to my own daughter.”
The word daughter sends a chill down my spine. I don’t know why, but just the knowledge of my parents makes me, at times, wish I’d never been brought into creation. If that were the case though, I wouldn’t have met Beau, or have the twins in my life.
“Besides, look at what my absence in your life has done. You’re out here mingling with angels. That, dear Anala, is sickening.”
I glance over at Sebastian. He is at the ready. If a fight ensues, he will do his best to aid me. I know, though, even if he doesn’t believe it, he is far outmatched when it comes to the two beasts before us.
“My friends are of no concern to you.”
“Friends? Even worse.”
“What do you want, Mother?”
She flips her long hair, then smiles. The attempt at warmth is completely lost on me. I see past it. I know her, like no other truly does. She is simply my father, in female form. All she wants is obedience, destruction, and pain.
“My dear Anala, your little rebellion is finished. Things are moving along. The time has come for you to choose your side. If not, well, Belial is here to help me put an end to your rambunctiousness.”
Seriously? This cunt is calling this my rebellion? They tortured me, trying to make me bend to their will, then banished me to a place I’d never even seen, and I’m the bad one here? Hell’s bells.
“I won’t lie. I hope you refuse us.”
I roll my eyes as I turn to face Sebastian. “Hear me. Hear me, now. I need you to go back to the house.”
“I won’t leave you!”
“Yes, you will. The twins need you. Do you understand?” Yes, my main concern is protecting Sebastian from my mother and her henchman, but I know how he is. If he thinks he is doing something important, he’ll be quicker to convince.
I see how torn he is. His eyes dart between me and the two monsters waiting in the wings. Finally, I see him submit. “I promise nothing will happen to them.”
“Thank you. Make them understand why they can’t come to me. They’ll want to.”
“I have it under control, Anala. Please,” he presses as he reaches out and takes hold of my hand, “be careful.”
I smirk at him. “I’ll be fine. Trust me.” Without another word, he vanishes from my sight leaving me alone with my mother and Belial. I turn toward them, annoyed with their little games. “Like I told the angel, I choose no side. My only concern is with my home and those I care about. I could care less about your petty wars.”